One of the rarest and most attractive of all baseball scorecards is this 1933 program from baseball's 1st All-Star Game. Originally sold for 10 cents at Comiskey Park, this 6" x 9" specimen is one of only a few known in existence. It is far tougher than the "official" program scorecard version which was sold by the White Sox featuring owner Charles Comiskey on the cover and easily far more attractive as this one features the main drawing card of that historical game, Babe Ruth, on the front cover. The idea of a baseball game with just "all" stars was initiated at the insistence of Arch Ward, a sports editor for the Chicago Tribune, to coincide with the celebration of Chicago's 1933 Century of Progress Exposition.

The scorecard's interior has been neatly scored in pencil and features the names of a mind-boggling 25 Hall of Famers. Make no mistake, the majority of the crowd estimated at 49,200 were there to see the Babe. And the Bambino did not disappoint, slamming the 1st Home Run in All-Star game history - as recorded by the original owner of this scorecard - in the 3rd inning that afternoon in a 4-2 American League win.

This is a gorgeous looking scorecard boasting four square corners and a solid spine. It has a centerfold bend which is extremely light and barely noticeable on the front, while the faint surface creasing is more prominent on the reverse. There are no other visible flaws or marks on this squeaky clean publication which, aside from the aforementioned, displays beautifully with outstanding Ex to NrMT condition qualities. Seldom encountered in any condition, from a historical perspective, this souvenir keepsake is already significant on its own merit for what it represents, baseball's 1st mid-summer classic. But to have the hobby's most iconic figure gracing the cover is the cherry on top that makes this a gem a world-class display piece !

The first appearance of an official "color line" in baseball dates back to 1868 when the National Association of Baseball Players voted unanimously to bar "any club which may be comprised of one or more colored persons." When baseball attained professional status the next season, pro teams were not bound by the amateur association's ruling, and during the late 19th century, black ballplayers appeared on integrated teams, and some black teams played in integrated leagues. But gradually, black players began to be excluded, and by the beginning of the twentieth century there were no black players in organized baseball.

Black Americans, however, continued to play baseball. By necessity they played on all-black teams and eventually in all-negro leagues. In 1920, Rube Foster, the father of black baseball, founded the Negro National League. In 1933 a new Negro National League was formed and the Negro American League was chartered in 1937. During their existence, the Negro Leagues played eleven World Series and created their own All-Star Game that became the biggest black sports attraction in the country. The Negro Leagues showcased some of the greatest baseball talent of all time.

In 1947, major league baseball's "color barrier" was broken when Branch Rickey signed Jackie Robinson to a Brooklyn Dodger contract. Almost daily during that baseball season, Robinson would receive hate mail and death threats from racist fans who wanted to keep baseball exclusively a white man's game. Incredibly and against all odds, Jackie Robinson was given the 1947 National League Rookie of the Year honors. He went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

This 1946 "Negro Baseball" yearbook, featuring Jackie Robinson on the cover, holds tremendous historical significance. Nineteen-forty six would be Robinson's last year in "Negro" baseball. Actually it wouldn't be much longer before the Negro Leagues disbanded altogether. Jackie Robinson paved the way for other black men to play in the major leagues; the demise of the Negro Leagues (following the 1948 season) was inevitable as the younger black players began to be signed by the white major league franchises.

The original 1st edition of Sports Illustrated, issue #1, as issued in 1954 and published by Henry Luce and Time Magazine. This is a gorgeous example, in high grade near mint/mint condition. One of the most well-known sports magazine covers, it features Eddie Mathews of the Milwaukee Braves at the plate during a night game at County Stadium. The original subscription card is still attached and more importantly, the 1954 Topps baseball card sheet pullout is attached and in mint condition and features Hall of Famers Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Jackie Robinson, Eddie Mathews, and Richie Ashburn. A landmark magazine - the one that started it all, in pristine, newsstand fresh condition!! Original price 25 cents.

Gorgeous example of this long running title, “Who’s Who in Baseball”, this is the 1957 annual edition and one of the most sought after in the entire run as it features the 1956 MVP and Triple Crown Winner, Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees.

The August 18, 1961 issue of Life Magazine featuring Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris of the New York Yankees on the cover during that memorable summer of 1961 when they chased Babe Ruth’s cherished record of 60 home runs in a single season. Nice head shots of the two taken by legendary photographer, Philippe Halsman set against the ghostly image of the Babe taken by William Greene. Original price 20 cents.

A beautiful high-grade example of this key issue in the "Who’s Who" annual run, this is the 1961 edition and features the previous season’s league MVPs on the covers; Roger Maris of the New York Yankees on the front cover and Dick Groat of the Pittsburgh Pirates on the back cover. Maris would go on to have even a bigger year than 1960 in 1961 with his successful pursuit of Ruth's single season home run record. This is a beautiful copy and appears to be new old store stock; this book looks like it was never read or flipped through. Just minor rubbing on the spine keeps it from a gem mint grade.

Offered here is a 1962 Post Cereal Mickey Mantle baseball card preserved in pristine mint condition, slabbed and given a grade of 9 [mint] by PSA [Professional Sports Authenticators]. This card and a Roger Maris card were featured on heavy paper stock inserts in the April 13, 1962 issue of Life magazine with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, starring in the film "Cleopatra", on the cover. This card was carefully hand cut from the insert and preserved by a very crafty individual!!

Archie series Betty and Veronica comic book March 1964 issue #99, original price 12 cents. Archie's girlfriends are at the eye doctor with Veronica's father, Mr. Lodge. He cannot understand what they "see" in Archie so he is getting their eyes checked.

I've seen other examples of this vinyl-covered looseleaf binder, but they were pretty badly battered, torn, and scribbled upon. They did, after all, receive daily (ab)use by rowdy schoolchildren! This is the nicest one I've ever seen and also the first one I`ve seen in this rich pink color. The little girl who owned this must have been an A+ home economics student and/or a Beatles fanatic because this book is spotless! Excellent graphics, great pictures and facsimile signatures of the "fab four".

Most of the Bonanza comics were issued later by Gold Key and the early Dell issues featuring Adam (Pernell Roberts) are scarce and highly prized by Bonanza fans and collectors. This is the May-July 1962 Dell issue #01-070-207, original price 15 cents.

Dell 4-color #1120: DINOSAURUS! Movie Classic comic book. "Stone Age monsters return to life!" Based on the 1960 movie of the same name. Great cover art of dinosaurs destoying a constuction site. Original price 10 cents.

Nice copy of the 1959 Dell #1031 4-color comic book based on the popular 1955-1966 TV show about a boy and his horse named Fury. The show co-starred Peter Graves who would later find fame as the star of television's Mission Impossible. Original price 10 cents.

Lassie was a wonderful collie dog who became a movie and television star in the 1950s. The front and back cover is shown of this scarce and beautiful 52 page Dell comic book, MGM's Lassie, issue #2. Original price 10 cents.

A hard-to-find copy of the very first Leave it to Beaver comic book, issue #1, Dell Four Color #912, dated 1958, based on the popular TV show. A great full-color cover image of Jerry Mathers and Tony Dow. Original price 10 cents.

A hard-to-find copy of the second Leave it to Beaver comic book, issue #2, Dell Four Color #999, dated 1959, based on the popular TV show. A great full-color cover image of Jerry Mathers and Tony Dow. Original price 10 cents.

A hard-to-find copy of the third Leave it to Beaver comic book, issue #3, Dell Four Color #1103, dated 1960, based on the popular TV show. A great full-color cover image of Jerry Mathers and Tony Dow. Original price 10 cents.

A hard-to-find copy of the fourth Leave it to Beaver comic book, issue #4, Dell Four Color #1191, dated 1961, based on the popular TV show. A great full-color cover image of Jerry Mathers and Tony Dow. Original price 15 cents.

The marriage of Marilyn Monroe to baseball great Joe DiMaggio didn't last very long, but it certainly created a lot of photo opportunities and fodder for gossip magazines!! Here is a beautifully preserved copy of "Now" magazine, dated January 1954, with the two lovebirds on the cover in full blazing color.

Vintage book cover featuring Roger Maris of the New York Yankees. Book cover measures a large 11” x 18” when unfolded and features an image of the single-season home run king. Along with this book cover is the original plastic bag and header card. The bag has been opened and contains the lone book cover that we are offering. It’s surely more attractive than the brown paper bag book covers I used to use! Original price 29 cents.

For those of you old enough to remember, Spooky the tuff little ghost was Casper the friendly ghost's alter ego. This is the July 1961 Harvey comics issue #57, also featuring Wendy the good little witch. Cute bowling-themed cover; original price 10 cents.

Jack LaLanne believed that everyone should be strong and healthy and he preached this to television audiences in the 1950s. Here he is on the cover of a 1940s-era Strength and Health magazine, looking extremely fit. The signature by his left ankle is a printed facsimile.

One of the two all-time champion comic book heroes, Batman became a 1960s icon and television star. On January 12, 1966, ABC television aired the first episode of Batman, starring Adam West as the "Caped Crusader". Here is a stunning example of Batman's first appearance on a TV Guide cover, issue dated March 26 - April 1, 1966.

It has been said that television was greatly responsible for JFK's victory over Richard Nixon in the 1960 presidential race. The Kennedy-Nixon debates were the first ever to be televised and the American public favored the handsome young Kennedy over the sneering, idiosyncratic Nixon. America also fell in love with their glamorous new first lady. This is her first appearance on the cover of TV Guide with others to follow.

A pair of two different hard-to-find local TV Guides, both of which feature Jerry Mathers in Leave It To Beaver on the cover. The first is the August 9, 1959 issue of a Portland, Oregon TV Prevue; the second is the January 2, 1960 issue of an Indianapolis TV News.

Union 76 gasoline and oil was a big sponsor of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team. In 1961 they issued a 24-player set of booklets to be given away at the Union 76 gas stations. The booklets are 16 pages with the home schedule on the back. One of the highlights of the set with pitcher Don Drysdale on the cover.

Union 76 gasoline and oil was a big sponsor of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team. In 1961 they issued a 24-player set of booklets to be given away at the Union 76 gas stations. The booklets are 16 pages with the home schedule on the back. This is the highlight of the set with hall-of-famer Sandy Koufax on the cover.

The United States space program began in the mid-1950s when the Air Force began working on satellite systems for reconnaissance efforts and for scientific advancement. It was a widely held belief that the country which first made significant achievements in space travel would be recognized as the world leader in military and scientific pursuits.

Many feel that the United States did not exploit its initial postwar advantage over Soviet technology. There is evidence to support the conclusion that American science could have pushed the nation into the space age ahead of the Russians. The key event was the successful launch of a satellite, and the U.S. failed to take the initiative. There would have been enormous advantages to such an undertaking: enhanced national prestige, a lead in the space race, and benefits to national security. The U.S. was dismayed when the Soviets put up Sputnik in October 1957 and in the furor that followed, an epidemic of 'space fever' swept our nation.

At the height of the space race, the American Oil Company published this beautifully illustrated informational booklet. As the title suggests, it deals with outer space and our attempts to explore and conquer this vast and unknown territory. When unfolded, it becomes a huge wall-size poster.

Yogi Berra made baseball history as the star catcher for the New York Yankees in the 1950s and 60s. His athletic achievements, in addition to his engaging personality, his quirky appearance, and modest upbringing as the son of Italian immigrants brought him many product endorsements, celebrity status, and considerable fame. This magazine, published by Fawcett and created in the style of a comic book, illustrates his youth and his early days with the NY Yankees. Original price 10 cents.

Bowling has a long and rich history, and today is one of the most popular sports in the world. In the 1930s a collection of objects was discovered in a child's grave in Egypt that appeared to be used for a crude form of bowling. If this was correct, then bowling traces its ancestry to 3200 BC.
English, Dutch and German settlers all imported their own variations of bowling to America. The earliest mention of it in serious American literature is by Washington Irving, when Rip Van Winkle awakens to the sound of "crashing ninepins". The first permanent American bowling location probably was for lawn bowling, in New York's Battery area. Now the heart of the financial district, New Yorkers still call the small plot Bowling Green.
The game had its ups and downs in America. An 1841 Connecticut law made it illegal to maintain "any ninepin lanes", probably because bowling was the object of much gambling. This is why the current tenpin variety evolved.
By the late 1800s, tenpin bowling was prevalent in many states such as New York, Ohio and as far "west" as Illinois. However, details like ball weights and pin dimensions varied by region. On September 9, 1895, at Beethoven Hall in New York City, the American Bowling Congress was born. Soon standardization would be established, and major national competitions could be held.
Bowling technology took a big step forward about the same time. Balls used to be primarily lignum vitae, a very hard wood. But in 1905 the first rubber ball, the "Evertrue" was introduced, and in 1914 the Brunswick Corporation successfully promoted the Mineralite ball, touting its "mysterious rubber compound".
Now organized, with agreed upon standards, the game grew in popularity. In 1951 another technological breakthrough set the stage for massive growth. American Machine and Foundry Company (AMF, then a maker of machinery for the bakery, tobacco and apparel businesses) purchased the patents to Gottfried Schmidt's automatic pinspotter, and by late 1952 production model pinspotters were introduced. No longer did a proprietor have to rely on "pinboys".
Television embraced bowling in the 1950s, and the game's popularity grew exponentially. NBC's broadcast of "Championship Bowling" was the first network coverage of bowling. Coverage proliferated with shows like "Make That Spare", "Celebrity Bowling", and "Bowling For Dollars". In 1961, ABC became the first network to telecast competition of the Pro Bowlers Association. Successful promoter, agent and entrepreneur Eddie Elias founded the PBA, and with his leadership, the Pro Bowlers Tour became a hugely popular stalwart of ABC sports broadcasting. Joined later by telecasts of the Ladies Pro Bowlers Tour (now the Professional Women's Bowling Association, PWBA) millions of Americans witnessed and became interested in the sport.
Today, the sport of bowling is enjoyed by 95 million people in more than ninety countries worldwide.

This fully illustrated AMF Guide to Natural Bowling was prepared by Victor Kalman, bowling editor of Sports Illustrated magazine, with the assistance of a board of 36 famous bowling experts in the late 1950s. This paperback book even has a no-questions asked money back guarantee if, after practicing the methods in this book for 3 months, you don't raise your average score by 20 pins!! Original price 35 cents.

Moving from a privileged childhood to finishing school, to Vassar, the Sorbonne in Paris and then to life as a glamorous debutante, newspaper-woman and wife of Senator John Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy possessed a polished dignity and quiet charm that impressed all who met her. At 31, she moved into the White House to live the exciting life of America`s First Lady.

Offered here is the first printing of this rarely seen paperback, published in January 1961 by Monarch Books, in beautifully preserved near mint condition. [paperback, 139 pages]

In 1954 John F. Kennedy, then the 37-year-old senator from Massachusetts, underwent surgery for injuries sustained in combat during World War II. While convalescing, he did the research for this dramatic best seller about courage and patriotism.

Kennedy graduated from Harvard with honors in 1940. During the war he was twice decorated by the Navy for his part in attacking a Japanese destroyer in the Solomons and for "his courage, endurance and excellent leadership" in towing injured members of the crew of his rammed PT boat to safety.

The son of Joseph P. Kennedy, former ambassador to Great Britain, he was elected to Congress in 1946 at the age of 29, and re-elected in 1948 and 1950. In 1952 he became the third Democrat ever elected to the Senate from Massachusetts, receiving the largest vote polled by a senator in the history of the Commonwealth. He repeated this feat in 1958. In 1960 he was nominated the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party to oppose the Republican nominee, Richard M. Nixon, and on November 8, 1960, he was elected President of the United States. On November 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.

"Profiles In Courage" was first published by Harper & Row in January 1956. The first printing of this 'Pocket Book' edition appeared in January 1957. This 'Pocket Book' 24th printing is highly sought after by collectors as it was published in November 1963, shortly after Kennedy`s death. [paperback, 234 pages, 8 pages of photographic illustrations, original price 50 cents]

First printing of this rarely seen paperback, published in July 1960 by Crest Books. Ominous WARNING on the back cover reads "This book is not to be read at night. Especially if you are alone." The Alfred Hitchcock screen adaptation of this book is possibly the greatest horror movie in the history of cinema...remember the shower scene? [paperback, 159 pages]